Walberswick

Introduction

An idyllic coastal village meandering downhill to the village green and foreshore of the river Blyth. Formerly a port of some importance, but today only tiny fishing boats and pleasure craft frequent the river. The magnificent St Andrews church helps to testify to former prosperity. Decline began in the 16th cent. with a series of severe fires and flooding. Today the area is mainly appreciated for the beach and large areas of marshland and heath. A footbridge over the Blyth links the village to Southwold harbour. An annual crab competition is very popular.

The original village sign was stolen in the 1980s and replaced with a "temporary" one. In the 1990s, it was bought by a London couple who had no idea there was a village of this name. When they found out in 2012, they returned the sign to the village. The village sign shows the "Walberswick Frigate",

Length: 80 feet; Beam 24 feet 6 inches; Draught 12 feet; Guns 22.

Built near the old quay at the bottom of 'Stocks Lane' for Cromwell's Commonwealth Navy and named "Basing" when launched in 1654.

Renamed "HMS Guernsey" in 1660 on the restoration of King Charles II to the throne.…

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Gallery

Acknowledgements

Some historical information from English Heritage's National Monuments Record.